DMB bails out Live Arts building

Despite a big Loretta Lynn fundraiser last summer, the building that houses Live Arts and Second Street Gallery still needed to raise $1.1 million to complete its building Campaign, finish portions of the building, and provide maintenance funds. Enter Dave Matthews Band's Bama Works Fund. The band's charitable giving arm, the Fund announced today that it's pledging $550,000 to the building whose formal name is City Center for Contemporary Arts. “I believe strongly that everyone should have a chance to participate in the arts,” said DMB drummer Carter Beauford in a release.The building, designed in an industrial chic style by Bushman Dreyfus Architects, opened in November 2003. Besides housing Live Arts and Second Street Gallery, it also plays host to Lighthouse, a film academy for teens. Bama Works donation is a challenge grant, and the Band hopes Live Arts will raise an equivalent amount by the end of 2006.